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Western States Water
<br />Since the first issue in 1974, the Council's weekly newsletter, Western States Water, has been
<br />one of its most visible and well received products. Its primary purpose is to provide governors,
<br />members, and others with accurate and timely information with respect to important events and
<br />trends. It is intended as an aid to help achieve better federal, state, and local decisionmaking and
<br />problem solving, improve intergovernmental relations, promote western states' rights and interests,
<br />and point out policy trade -offs. Further, it covers Council meetings, changes in Council
<br />membership, and other Council business. The newsletter is provided as a free service to members,
<br />governors and their staff, member state water resource agencies, state water users associations,
<br />selected multi -state organizations, key congressmen and their staffs, and top federal water officials.
<br />Other public and private agencies or individuals may subscribe for a fee.
<br />The following is a summary of significant activities and events in 2005 primarily taken from
<br />the newsletter. However, it does not represent an exclusive listing of all Council activities or other
<br />important events. Rather, it seeks to highlight specific topics.
<br />Bureau of Reclamation
<br />Reclamation Fund
<br />On April 5, Senator Pete Domenici (R -NM), Chair, Senate Energy and Natural Resources
<br />Committee, led a Water Conference discussion addressing a broad array of water related challenges.
<br />Experts from across the country were invited to submit written proposals for presentation on water
<br />supply /resource management and coordination, the future of the Bureau of Reclamation, Indian and
<br />Federal reserved water rights, and our water knowledge /conservation/technological developments.
<br />Pat Tyrrell, the Wyoming State Engineer, presented the Council's thoughts on the future of the
<br />Bureau of Reclamation. He stated, "The Bureau of Reclamation has an important and continuing
<br />role in meeting present and future water supply needs in the West." He observed that role continues
<br />to evolve from being a large builder to being a water and power purveyor and manager. Pat also
<br />pointed out that rehabilitation of existing projects, as well as necessary maintenance, and dam safety
<br />related work, must be a top priority. Water conservation efforts will also continue to be essential.
<br />However, the development of new supplies is essential using both storage and more innovative
<br />approaches (such as water reuse, ground water recharge, desalination, etc.).
<br />To fund this work, Pat suggested, based on a current Council position, that the Congress
<br />consider increasing appropriations for Bureau of Reclamation projects and programs using the
<br />unobligated balance in the Reclamation Fund. The actual unobligated balance at the end of Fiscal
<br />Year 2004 was over $3.813, and it is estimated to grow at about $113/year through FY2006 — to
<br />$5.913. The Reclamation Fund was created in 1902, and the Congress intended these funds to be
<br />used to meet the need for water development and management in the West. Estimated rehabilitation
<br />needs for aging Bureau infrastructure total approximately $645M for the foreseeable future.
<br />Reclamation estimates it needs $227M over the next five years for dam safety work. In FY 2004,
<br />$4M was directed towards Water 2025 Initiative Challenge Grants, to assist local districts improve
<br />the water delivery and management systems. Over 100 proposals were received requesting more
<br />than $25M to help fund $98M in improvements. For FY 2005, the Bureau has again received over
<br />100 proposals asking for $35.5M for new work with an estimated cost of more than $115M. These
<br />programs and new legislative authorities being considered by the Committee need funding that could
<br />be provided from the Reclamation Fund, including drought preparedness, planning and mitigation,
<br />small rural community needs, salt cedar control, etc.
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